Cheng Man Ching Tai Chi Sword Form

[SargonvonThule]

This Form looks for me much more like Swordfight with an sharp Sword then most other Forms,

i practice Swordfighting myself and this form represents for me a very good display of fighting an illusionary Enemy

[Greenninjadjh]

Thanks uploader! awesome!

[OctoBox]

Is the tassle ornate or combative -- maybe instructive?

[steveg219]

@OctoBox The tassle can be used for Decoration, Dynamic Sword counter balance or to Distract the opponent. If you move too abruptly or break continuity the tassle wraps around and "slaps" you on the wrist. Anyone can use the tassel for any number of reason there are no particular rules around it. Some schools modify their sword practise for use with a tassle adding extra movements that emphasize the tassel for attack, distraction, momentum, etc

[mrshiftingparadigm]

@steveg219 i have also heard that having a tassel on a sword is like a 'spirit protector" and that as long as it is on when the sword is drawn that the sword does not have to taste blood before being sheathed. could be a story- but then again- if you ever hold a sword that has actually been used to kill, hold it upside down and watch how the tassel wraps around the blade- as if to enclose the 'killing spirit'... (shrug)

[Waterman117]

@OctoBox it is actually used in combat yes, the use of it has alot to do with sword finger techniques(watch his other empty hand) and also helps on to develop a better flow with the movements, I personally took mine off because overall it's annoying to me, but one should definitely have trained with it I think.

[laylayluvnaruto]

Thank you for posting this!

[jadewillow]

This form is very close to Chen Wei Ming's (if not the same yet, there are some variances ) Chen Man Ching performs it more flowing and softer... Are form has different speeds and is done more with a sharpness to it.. (if this makes sense...)

[steveg219]

@jadewillow I think this is right. They were both students of Yang Cheng Fu and the basic structure of the form is the same. Professor Cheng demonstrates a very even, flowing quality. Most of the Yang family schools do this form with varying speeds and stops following Chen Wei Ming's movements. Do you have a link to a good example of what you consider to be Chen Wei Ming's specific style?

[DeviSamit]

I first learned this form from Professor Cheng's students Lou Kleinsmith and Maggie Newman in the late 1970s, and have practiced it ever since. The sword is my favorite modality of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. I also teach this form, along with Professor's fencing method, to my advanced students, who love it. It's a real treat to see this clip of Professor Cheng. Thanks for posting!

[steveg219]

@DeviSamit I agree, this is wonderful form and approach to practise. I love this film because unlike some of the other footage of the professor where he is teaching and demonstrating, this one looks like he is totally focused on the practise and his flow and application of principle is simply amazing!

[Xw0LveS89]

wow... u're so lucky to meet him...

[taichilover]

Well, if you want to know what Tai Chi does, watch The Tai Chi Master of Jacky Wu.

Then, you will know how amazing Tai Chi is!

For example, if an opponent attacks you with all his might, you use Tai Chi to borrow that might and reverse the attack back on your opponent!

Your opponent will suffer a great deal!

I practice both Chen Style and Yang Style Tai Chi! Next, I want to learn Chen Style Tai Chi Sword!

[50kT]

yea sounds like an aikido class i took

[50kT]

what does tai chi do? cuz ive been doing it since i was little by myself just copying karate movies, but sometime it feels good to do.

what exactly does tai chi, qi gong or any of these movement things do?????

[aqua9126]

first of all, copying karate moves is not taichi. you can only learn true tai chi from a real master

taichi develops your nei qi and overall health to a level unattainable by physical means

[noklarok]

they help your posture, body awareness and blood flow. tai chi helps align your spine and relax your muscles. it helps align and massage your internal organs like your kidney,bowels, or spleen.

i would recommend popping along to a class and see if you like it.

i went to tai chi when i was seriously ill.

ten years later i still do it and consider a good way of keeping relatively healthy.

cheng man ching short form Yang style is good.

[az7500]

This is absolutely amazing to watch the Professor do the sword form.....

Each movement is so light and fluent, as if formless, almost

[taichiman100]

josh ich will ein kind von dir

[taichiman100]

moritz die huar

[x666666x]

Beautiful form. A true master. The sword is not so much an extension of him but it really moves with him and he moves with the sword. Thanks for sharing!!! Inspiring

[Aldarus17]

Cheng Man Ching was considered the best martial artist in the world when he was alive. For those curious, he practices the Yong Form.

[jigokunoshinigami]

Yang form. Although the Yang family doesn't recognize his empty hand form as part of their lineage.

[DarthChuckwa]

This makes me wish there was a Chinese martial arts club here at Penn State.

We have Kendo, Fencing, Aikido, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Judo...but nothing from the Chinese martial arts.

[chimab]

A jewel is only valuable when shared for all to see. Thanks for this clip.

[effortlesscoping]

I do agree!

[kramcas2]

When i first started learning tai chi 3 years ago. I would watch videos of professor and i could never figure out what he was doing. It seemed so strange. Now when im stuck(as i am now on this form) im able to watch him and figure out the movements. Thank You for posting this. Its a big help.

[steveg219]

I completely understand. I tried to learn this form this by watching the video of Professor Cheng and I was unable. I then purchased the excellent DVD by Ken Van Sickle on this form and was able to learn from that because it breaks it down and teaches it at the beginner level, highly recommended.

[kramcas2]

I have an very excellent teacher that I have class with once a week but I'm stuck on the new movements. So I watch this to clear things up. You'd have to be a bit crazy to try and learn tai chi only watching from a video. There is just to much to going on.

[steveg219]

Agreed, I should have clarified that I used the video just to learn the general movements and studied with a teacher to REALLY learn it!!!

[taichifist]

This wondeful to see professor Cheng's Double Edge Sword videos posted here!

We do this same Double Edge Sword form in my Tai Chi school! I was wondring where it came form

Thanks for Posting this.

[elscooch]

gorgeous, so glad to see professor Cheng's videos up here, makes me get my sword back out...

[steveg219]

Get your sword back out!

[miffythevampirebat]

Wow, effortless grace! ^_^

I'm learning the Cheng Man Ching 37 form but I'll hopefully be starting this one soon. Can't wait!

[jedisaber91]

i recgonize that man. i bought a book about tai chi, and he depicts the forms in the pictures :)

[smalltins]

This is a joy to watch absolute joy.Thank you for posting this

[aaqelah]

thank you for posting this video. I have learned this form in past from my senseui without the sword and I really enjoyed seeing this form with the sword. It is interesting to see how the form is done with the sword for further learning and advancement. please post more videos like these I look foward to watching more videos. Thanks!!

[steveg219]

that is interesting, I sometimes practice it without the sword to gain new insights, when you take away the sword you can see how it truly is connected to the open hand form and only different in that it adjusts to and integrates the nature of the sword and it's movement

[Blackdog23a]

hmmm its not Tau lu its sword form

[steveg219]

thanks for your comment, can you explain what that means?

[Blackdog23a]

Well in as much as its a sword form and not Da Lu (Long Roll-back) which is a two person exercise without swords.

[ch3tc]

Elegant

[er1cav]

Thanks a lot.

[Cutedervish]

cheng man ching is the boy!

[robertapero]

i practice this form evry morning with my master, i love this taolu. thx steve

[taipingvlg]

It is a pleasant surprise to see this great video. Thank you for posting it.

[gzavier24]

Great video

great Master

great form

train & Relax. . .

[osheen18]

looking for a teacher in vegas, anybody know of any? would greatly appreciate it.

[randy303030]

call alwin leung at 702-366-4864

[osheen18]

thanks for the response, i finally found a teacher and im back on track. i might give him a holler

[zhongding]

Great find steve

Got any more gems?

[steveg219]

working on a few more, these will be worth the wait....!

[zhongding]

Cant wait

[statisticool]

Excellent!